Module Code - Title:
PO5041
-
CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THEORY
Year Last Offered:
2013/4
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The module blends normative and conceptual analysis, by exploring some of the questions addressed in recent political theory, such as: what is justice? What makes a society just? What is the relationship between justice and the good? What are rights and how do human beings come to have them, if they do? What makes a state legitimate? How are goods, resources, opportunities and liberties to be distributed in a just state? What would a democratic society consist in? What does it require to treat cultural minorities fairly? Do we have duties to the global poor?
Syllabus:
Authority and Political Obligation; Liberty; Equality; Utility and Rights; Social Justice; Community; Democracy; Multiculturalism; Gender; Global Justice; the Environment and Political Theory.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
1. Describe some of the major philosophical concerns of contemporary political theorists.
2. Critically evaluate, though the close reading of texts, key contributions to recent political thought.
3. Apply the methods of normative reasoning and conceptual analysis to contemporary political controversies.
4. Compare rival theoretical views about political concepts and issues.
5. Assess the relevance of political theory to questions of political practice and to the discipline of political science.
6. Present logical arguments about abstract ideas in both verbal and written forms.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to political theory
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Student led-seminars.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Kymlicka, W. (2001)
Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction
, Oxford University Press
McKinnon, C. (ed.) (2008)
Issues in Political Theory
, Oxford University Press
Swift, A. (2006)
Political Philosophy: A Beginners' Guide for Students and Politicians
, Polity
Goodin and Pettit (eds.) (2006)
Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Anthology
, Blackwell
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MADEVETFA - DEVELOPMENT
MAPDSTTFA - PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
MAINSTTFA - INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
MAPUADTFA - PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
MAEUPLTFA - European Union Politics and Law
MAEPGOTFA - EUROPEAN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
PHCLPSTFA - DOCTOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Adina.Preda@ul.ie